August 04, 2004
R.I.P. Bob Murphy
I know I'm supposed to be away from the keyboard for another couple of days, but I felt I'd be remiss if I didn't note the passing of long-time New York Mets broadcaster Bob Murphy. Murphy, who had briefly battled lung cancer following his retirement last September, died at a hospice in Florida. He was 79.
Murphy, who joined the Mets as a broadcaster at their inception in 1962, worked longer for the team than any other employee in its history, save for his one-time television broadcast partner Ralph Kiner. Forced from the television booth back in 1982, Murphy moved to radio -- and will probably be best remembered outside New York for his call of the bottom of the 10th inning of Game Six of the 1986 World Series.
He became known as the "voice of Summer," and for millions of Mets fans, the very personification of the franchise we learned to love beyond reason. Because while players, managers and even owners came and went, Murphy was the one constant. He will be missed.
POSTSCRIPT: I had some initial thoughts about Murphy's career when he announced his retirement from the broadcast booth last Summer, and returned to the subject again after he called his last game at the end of the 2003 season.
For a selection of Murphy moments, including that famous call of the Mookie Ball, click here to see the selection at MLB.com.
Back next Monday night.
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I'll NEVER forget Bob Murphy as he shilled for the "Rheingold's Little Old New York" exhibit which was one of the more popular attractions of the '64/'65 World's Fair. My parents gleefully accepted the exhibit's offer for FREE BEER, then when they were suitably tanked, loaded up their 4 kids into the station wagon for the adventurous ride (past Adventure Land) from Flushing Bay to Chappaqua.
Thanks Bob!
Posted by:
at August 5, 2004 08:29 AM
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